Sand cars. Serious power. • Pleasant Grove, Utah
Sand Rail & Dune Buggy Repair in Pleasant Grove, Utah
LS engine builds. Transmissions. Everything your dune weekend depends on.
From big LS motor builds to transmission repairs and complete mechanical service, R1 Industries keeps your sand rail or dune buggy ready for the dunes. Bring your build, your breakdown or your next big idea to our Pleasant Grove shop.
Full-service sand rail & dune buggy shop
Power is only part of the build.
A strong engine needs a drivetrain, cooling system and chassis that work with it. We handle major builds, diagnose problems and take care of the repairs and maintenance around them.
LS engine builds & rebuilds
Big LS motor builds, engine rebuilds and performance upgrades for sand rails and dune buggies. Tell us your current setup, power goals and how you drive.
Transmissions & transaxles
Transmission and transaxle diagnostics, repair and rebuild work, plus clutch and drivetrain service. We evaluate the combination so the repair fits your engine and intended use.
Shocks & suspension
Shock rebuilds, nitrogen service, suspension tuning, ride-height setup and worn suspension components. Get help with leaks, harshness, bottoming and handling concerns.
Cooling, fuel & electrical
Overheating, poor running, no-starts and intermittent electrical problems. Cooling-system, fuel-delivery, charging, starting and wiring diagnostics.
Brakes, steering & driveline
Brake and steering repairs, wheel bearings, axles, CV joints and related driveline concerns. Bring us the symptoms, vibration or wear you are noticing.
Maintenance & dune-trip prep
Oil and fluid service, leak checks and pre-trip inspections. Have the engine, cooling, drivetrain, brakes and suspension checked before your next dune weekend.
LS performance & complete builds
Big LS power.
A plan for the whole car.
Building an LS-powered sand rail or refreshing a tired motor? Start with how you want the car to drive. We’ll talk through your engine build, the supporting systems and the work needed to bring your goals together.
Tell us what you’re starting with.
- Engine size, current parts and modifications
- Power goals and the way you use your sand car
- Transmission or transaxle and clutch setup
- Cooling, fuel and electrical concerns
- Budget, priorities and your next planned trip
Every build is different. Scope, parts and timing are discussed for your specific car.
Build the combination
What goes into an LS sand rail build?
A sand car spends its life pulling through loose terrain, climbing dunes and carrying passengers. Your engine plan needs to fit that job. Whether you want to rebuild a worn LS, sort out an existing swap or plan a bigger motor, we start with the car you have and the way you want to use it.
Start with the engine you have.
Bring the engine size, known internal parts, previous build records and any running concerns. For an existing problem, tell us about oil use, smoke, noise, temperature changes or a loss of power. Inspection and diagnosis help establish what can be reused and what the project actually needs.
Match power to the drivetrain.
The engine, clutch, transmission or transaxle, gearing and tires work together. Include your gearbox identification and paddle-tire setup when discussing a build. More power is a reason to review the supporting components early, before the engine work is finalized.
Plan fuel, cooling and wiring.
An engine build also raises questions about fuel delivery, radiator layout, fan operation, plumbing, controls and electrical condition. We discuss those systems as part of the project so the scope accounts for the complete installation.
Set priorities before ordering parts.
Tell us what matters most: refreshing the current combination, improving drivability, addressing reliability concerns or pursuing a larger build. We discuss the proposed work, budget and parts availability for your specific car. A quote request starts that conversation; it is not a fixed-price build package.
Transmission & drivetrain repair
Get the power to the sand.
Grinding, slipping, difficult shifting, leaks or lost drive? We work on sand rail and dune buggy transmissions, transaxles, clutches and related drivetrain components. Tell us when the problem happens and what engine and gearbox you’re running so we can plan the next step.
Grinding or difficult shifting
Tell us whether the issue happens cold, hot, under load or only in a particular gear. Clutch operation, linkage, fluid condition and the gearbox itself may all be relevant to the diagnosis. Share the transmission or transaxle make and model if you know it.
Slipping, noise or lost drive
Describe what the engine does when the car stops pulling, where the noise seems to come from and whether you noticed a leak. Clutches, CV joints, axles and other driveline components can create symptoms that need to be separated from an internal gearbox problem.
For repair or rebuild planning, send photos of the unit and identification tags with your request. Custom sand cars often combine parts from several manufacturers; knowing the actual components helps us discuss the right next step.
Real workshop detail
The details inside your suspension matter.
A leaking shock, repeated bottoming or a harsh ride deserves more than guesswork. We offer shock rebuilds and suspension service, and discuss the condition, setup and use of your sand car before recommending work.
Tell us the shock brand and model, any recent changes to springs or ride height, and how the car behaves with its usual passengers and gear. Worn joints, damaged components and setup concerns belong in the same conversation.
Meet Riley Erickson • Owner & founder
He rides.
He builds.
He expects it done right.
The work starts with Riley’s standards. He learned to love working on things alongside his dad, a military mechanic who could fix just about anything. After retiring from the military, his dad now works with the R1 team. That lesson stayed with Riley: understand the problem, care about the details and do the job correctly.
As a husband, dad and rider, Riley knows what it means when a machine lets you down. He built R1 to help people enjoy the trails, the water, the outdoors and time with their families.
Quality still matters.
An honest day’s work still means something.
The R1 standard
Done right.
Checked three times.
A torque wrench. The correct specification. A visible mark on every serviced fastener. Those details tell the next inspector exactly what was touched and what to check. Riley expects every completed repair to pass through three people, with each inspection building on the last.
Torqued to spec. Marked. Checked again.
1. The technician
The technician completes the work, uses torque wrenches to tighten serviced bolts to specification, then marks the nuts and bolts. Before handing the machine off, the technician inspects their own work and checks the details of the repair.
2. The shop manager
Our shop manager meticulously audits the completed work. Every bolt touched gets checked, torque is verified again, and the marks show exactly where to look. Detailed photos are added to your service record to document the work and inspection before the next handoff.
3. The service writer
Our service writer goes out to the machine for a final inspection. If anything falls short, it goes back to the shop for correction. We invest the extra time, money and effort because riders deserve work done right the first time.
Before the trailer is loaded
Get the car checked before dune weekend.
Planning Little Sahara, Sand Hollow or another dune trip? Give the shop your departure date when you request service. A pre-trip visit is a chance to address the small leak, new noise or temperature concern before it interrupts the weekend. Scheduling depends on the work and available parts.
Engine & cooling
Discuss fluid service, leaks, hose condition, radiator condition and fan operation. Note when the engine gets hot and whether the problem appears at idle, on a long climb or after repeated runs. Include any recent repairs or modifications.
Drivetrain & chassis
Ask about clutch and shifting concerns, axle and CV condition, brake feel, steering play, wheel bearings and suspension wear. Tell us about any impact, vibration or change in handling since the last outing.
Help us diagnose it faster.
Include a short video of the noise or problem if you can capture it without operating a damaged car. Share when it began, what changed beforehand and any work already attempted. Photos of the engine bay, gearbox and whole car are especially useful for custom builds.
From first call to shop visit
Let’s make a plan for your car.
Share your setup.
Tell us the chassis, engine, transmission and current modifications, plus the symptoms or goals you have in mind.
Discuss the work.
Our team reviews your request, talks through your application and helps you understand the next step and current scheduling.
Bring it to Pleasant Grove.
Arrange drop-off at our shop. We inspect the car and discuss the recommended repair or build scope.
Before you bring it in
Sand rail & dune buggy service questions.
Do you build LS engines for sand rails?
Yes. R1 Industries handles LS engine builds, rebuilds and performance work for sand rails and dune buggies. Start with your existing engine, current modifications, intended use and build goals so we can discuss the right combination.
Do you repair sand rail transmissions and transaxles?
Yes. We offer transmission and transaxle work along with clutch and drivetrain repairs. Send the unit’s make and model, engine setup and symptoms so we can confirm the work and parts needed for your specific application.
Can you service a dune buggy that does not have an LS engine?
Yes. This page covers sand rail and dune buggy service, including maintenance and mechanical repairs beyond LS-powered builds. Tell us which engine, transmission and chassis you have so our team can confirm the service path.
Can you inspect my sand car before a dune trip?
Yes. Ask about pre-trip service and inspections for your sand rail or dune buggy. Let us know your departure date and any leaks, noises, overheating or handling concerns when you request service.
How much does a repair or LS build cost?
The price depends on the current condition, diagnosis, parts and scope of work. Share your setup and goals to begin a quote request. Our team will discuss the work and current scheduling; major builds require an application-specific estimate.
Where is your sand rail and dune buggy repair shop?
R1 Industries is at 2416 W 700 S, Suite 101, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062. We serve owners from Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Orem, Provo, Springville, Spanish Fork and surrounding Utah County communities.
Pleasant Grove • Utah County
Your sand car’s next stop: R1.
Find us at 2416 W 700 S, Suite 101, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062. Our 20,000-square-foot facility has parking and easy trailer access.
Serving sand rail and dune buggy owners from Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Orem, Provo, Springville, Spanish Fork and surrounding Utah County communities. All service takes place at our Pleasant Grove shop.
Request a repair quote
Tell us about your sand car.
Include your chassis or buggy make, engine, transmission or transaxle, current modifications, symptoms and build goals. If you have a dune trip planned, include the date.
Not sure what is wrong? Describe the symptoms. Pricing and timing depend on the machine, diagnosis, parts and current shop workload.
Call 801-899-2520
Text 435-500-9755
Shop hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM Mountain Time.
Phone support: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM Mountain Time. After hours, send a text or quote request.